Roasted Red Pepper and Gouda Baked Chicken

So, I saw this recipe on Rachael Ray’s website.  I didn’t actually see her cook it, and the name didn’t really appeal to me (Hungarian Roasted Pepper and Paprika Chicken), but curiosity got the best of me, and I clicked on the link for the recipe.  I liked the ingredients – chicken, paprika, roasted red peppers, and gouda cheese, so I decided to give it a try.  Holy smack.  I’m so glad I did.  This is freakin’ delicious!  Tim loved it too.  The sauce is just so amazing – creamy and flavorful, and it’s a bit spicy, which Tim loves.  Then it’s all topped with cheese, and wow!  Just wow!  You have to make it!

I made this on a Sunday, so I did roast my own red peppers.  Honestly, many times I just buy them because it’s so much quicker and easier.  If you’re in a time crunch, store-bought roasted peppers would be just fine.  I couldn’t find a hot cherry or fresno chili pepper, so I just roasted a jalapeno, and I really liked the flavor.  The food processor does a lot of the work here.  You just have to make a quick beschamel sauce and then add in some sour cream and the red pepper sauce, pour it over the chicken, and throw it in the oven.  Heads’ up – it made a lot of sauce, so I didn’t need it all.  You could save some for later or even freeze it to make this again, but with a shortcut!

Rachael served hers with buttered egg noodles.  That didn’t really interest me, so I served mine with some whole wheat cous cous with veggies.  Keep an eye out for that recipe to come soon!

Roasted Red Pepper and Gouda Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 hot cherry or Fresno chili pepper (or jalapeno)
• 1 small onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, a small handful
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk (I used skim)
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 3 tablespoons sweet paprika (I used half smoked paprika, half regular)
• 2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
• 1/2 pound Gouda, shredded

Directions:

Roast the peppers under the broiler with oven door slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Place the charred peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool to handle; peel and seed. Place the peppers in a food processor with onion, parsley, garlic, thyme and chicken stock. Purée until smooth.

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in milk and season with salt and pepper. Stir in sour cream and thicken sauce. Add in paprika and pepper purée.  Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides. Transfer to a shallow baking casserole, top with sauce and cheese, and bake 20-25 minutes to finish cooking chicken through and brown the top.